Device for handling building materials



April 22, 1930. c; w, w L I 1,755,463

DEVICE FOR HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS Filed May 17, 1928 Vl/IWaddell l atented Apr. 22, 1930 CLARENCE w. WADDELL, on DALLAS, TEXAS DEVICE FOR HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS Application filed May 17, 1928.

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in devices for grasping building materials, such as tile, terra-cotta,

stone, et cetera, the blocks of which are too wide or heavy to be conveniently handled by the bare hands of workmen.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device, preferably in the form of tongs or hooks that may readily and conveniently grasp a block of tile,et cetera, thereby facilitating easier transportation and placement of same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned character,

that will afford a workman an easy means of setting his building blocks without the hazard of hurting his hands or minimizing considerably the chance of dropping and breaking said blocks.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described that will facilitate easier and quicker placement of the building blocks to be cemented together thus eliminating unnecessary time and labor.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following speci- 30 fication and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention showing said device positioned ready tograsp a block of ordinary tile, and

Figure 2 is an end view of same. Employing like characters of reference for corresponding parts throughout, the numeral 10 designates one member and 11 the other of a pair of duplicate members comprising my tongs. It is obvious that the membersmay be made of flat, square, round or other suitably shaped metal, however as the drawings illustrate, it is preferable to make the same out of metal round in cross section. As both members are exactly duplicate it is apparent that the description of only one is necessary.

The member 10 is bent upward at 12 substantially at right angles forming a handle 13.

Serial No. 278,585.

The lower portions or ends are flattened at 14 to form biting prongs 15. Cut out portions 16 are provided so that rivets or bolts may be used for pivoting means. In the drawingsl have shown four prongs on my tongs, however, it is clear that any suitable number easily may be used advantageously. Also the flattened prongs provide easier alignment means so that the blocks may be set nearer the guide line, or closer to other blocks that have been placed in the wall. A cut out portion 18 in the handle is to receive a bolt 19 but on a radius to one of the pivotal connections, around which a coiled spring 20 is journaled. The object of the tension member is to expand the compressible handles when the tongs are released from the grip of the hand. By this action the tongs are disengaged from the building material blocks.

In practise, the tongs are slightly wider than the building material to be handled.

When the handles are compressed the prongs bite or engage against the sides of the blocks of building material. After the blocks are set where they are to be cemented together and the handles released the compressed tension of the spring will cause the tongs to open ready to engagement with another block. By

having a handle that is an integral part of the tongs, the same will be more rigid, thereby affording better placing means of the materials to be handled, especially materials to be set in soft mortar. As is obvious by this arrangement the blocks may be set evenly.

The drawings will illustrate that the tongs are very simple and comparatively light of Weight. As the building materials are heavy the use of bundlesome and heavy means will be inconvenient and very tiresome on the workman.

Various changes in the size and shape of the different parts, as well as modifications and alterations may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now described this invention and explained the mode of its operation, what I claim for my invention is:

l. A pair of tongs for setting building materials, comprising two pivoted members forming a handle at their upper portions, a

plurality of flat prongs at their lower portions, and an opening means between the handles of said members.

2. A pair of tongs for setting building materials such as tile, terra-cotta, stone, et cetera, comprising a pair of pivoted members each having an upright handle and a pair of flatened prongs for engagement with the building 7 materials, and means such as a coiled spring to open said tongs after being compressed by the hands.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CLARENCE W. WVADDELL. 

